Housekeeper

Role overview

North Bristol NHS Trust is recruiting housekeepers for Ward 33a (Burns & Plastics). This position plays an important part in the ward team by helping coordinate patient-facing services and by supporting a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for patients and staff.

The role combines cleaning, catering support, and minor maintenance tasks, along with other ward-based duties identified by the Supervisory Sister. You will work alongside contractors and support service teams, carry out quality checks, and help resolve any issues that affect ward standards.

This vacancy may close before the stated closing date if enough applications are received, so early application is strongly encouraged.

Important notice

Applicants are advised to review the employer’s application guidance, as scoring and shortlisting are based on how well the application addresses the criteria.

North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust are planning to merge into one organisation from July 2026. If you join North Bristol NHS Trust before the merger takes place, your employment will transfer automatically to University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. If your employment starts after the merger, you will be employed directly by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and its terms and conditions will apply.

Any use of generative artificial intelligence in an application must be declared, as AI use is monitored.

Candidates who have previously applied for this post should not submit another application.

Responsibilities

• Support patients with meal ordering, taking account of special dietary, medical, and assistance needs where required.
• Help patients eat and drink safely, and monitor food intake with the ward nurse.
• Prepare and serve hot and cold snacks, including breakfast, and provide a 24-hour snack service.
• Serve meals with the nursing team and make sure meal choices and dietary needs are properly met.
• Assist patients with eating tasks such as cutting food, placing meals within reach, feeding where needed, and offering encouragement.
• Prepare hot and cold drinks and arrange the trolley and related equipment at the required times.
• Ensure regenerated meals and beverages are served at the right temperature in line with food hygiene rules and Trust policy.
• Set up food and drink areas so they remain pleasant and suitable for patients.
• Clean all utensils and equipment used for food and drink preparation, regeneration, serving, and consumption.
• Keep the ward kitchen clean and orderly, including checking stock rotation and removing out-of-date items.
• Make sure refrigerated items are labelled and stored correctly according to Trust policy.
• Work with the ward nurse to ensure meal arrangements are updated for newly admitted and discharged patients.
• Coordinate additional meal requests when needed.
• Ensure patients who are not fluid-restricted can access fresh water.
• Help monitor and audit service delivery, especially in relation to cleaning, food, linen, and the ward environment, and report findings to the ward sister.
• Maintain the ward defect log, making sure issues are recorded, reported, tracked, and closed appropriately.
• Support ad hoc maintenance arrangements and liaise with the support services helpdesk when needed.
• Assist the Senior Sister with routine equipment monitoring in line with procedures.
• Transport and dispose of clinical, domestic, and confidential waste in accordance with policy.
• Work with ward staff to monitor access, security, and appropriate use of premises and facilities.
• Respect patient space, including handling perishable belongings such as fruit appropriately.
• Protect patient privacy and dignity while carrying out housekeeping tasks.
• Raise concerns about potential behavioural issues or security breaches with the Senior Sister.
• Use communication skills to help prevent or manage aggressive or abusive behaviour and escalate concerns as needed.
• Store equipment safely and ensure it remains in good working order.
• Arrange repairs for equipment in line with Trust policy.
• Help maintain and update paper-based records and information.
• Respond to requests for general information and pass information on confidentially.
• Follow the Trust complaints process when required.
• Support training for ward housekeeping staff by explaining expected standards.
• Keep up to date with food hygiene updates, waste categorisation changes, and similar operational changes.

Requirements

• GCSE-level education in Maths and English at grade A-C or 9-4.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Good organisational ability.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work varied shifts.
• Ability to use initiative and work independently when needed.
• Willingness to work Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays.
• Desirable: Food hygiene qualification or certification.
• Desirable: Previous hospital experience in catering or housekeeping.
• Desirable: Experience in hospitality.

Working environment and additional information

You will be part of a friendly and busy ward team within the ASCR Division. The position requires enthusiasm and a commitment to high standards of service for patients and their families.

The successful candidate must help maintain a consistently clean and safe ward environment for patient safety and must work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to keep the ward and clinical equipment to a high standard.

North Bristol NHS Trust serves the communities of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset from Southmead Hospital. The organisation values respect, dignity, fairness, inclusion, and equality of opportunity, and welcomes applicants from underrepresented groups.

Job offers are typically made at the minimum point of the pay scale unless the applicant already has relevant NHS service at the same band, in which case incremental placement may apply.

Applications and interview communication may be sent through TRAC or email, so candidates should check inboxes, junk folders, and TRAC accounts regularly. If no response is received within three weeks after the closing date, applicants should assume they have not been shortlisted. Interview travel costs are not reimbursed.

Successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks before starting work. The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share that responsibility.

If additional support is needed under disability-related arrangements, the Trust contact number provided in the advert should be used.

The Trust notes that it is committed to diversity and inclusion and particularly encourages applications from groups currently underrepresented in the workforce, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQIA+ people.

Terms and conditions

Employment terms may transfer automatically to the successor organisation if the role begins before the planned merger date in July 2026. Roles starting after the merger will be governed directly by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust terms and conditions.

Applicants are advised that the advert may close early once enough suitable applications have been received.

The employer reserves the right to monitor AI usage in applications and requires applicants to declare any AI assistance used.

Previous applicants for this vacancy should not apply again.